Fani-Kayode presents credentials to Ramaphosa

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, presented his Letter of Credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria on Friday and said he would work to strengthen relations between the two countries. He also alleged that Nigeria’s introduction and speech were omitted from the ceremony’s livestream, an account not independently confirmed in the reports.

The ceremony took place at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, where Fani-Kayode presented his credentials to Ramaphosa. He said the posting marked the first time in four years that Nigeria had sent a substantive ambassador to South Africa. Fani-Kayode is also accredited to Lesotho and Eswatini.

In remarks at the event, Fani-Kayode described Nigeria and South Africa as longstanding partners and said part of his role would be to rebuild and strengthen the relationship. He referred to Nigeria’s support for South Africa during the struggle against apartheid and said closer cooperation between the countries would serve their people and the wider continent. He also conveyed the goodwill of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa urged newly accredited diplomats to work with South...